Am I wrong or does or seem cruise prices are higher?

[MsTabbyKats]

Good grief, I've been cruising for 30 years, and to hear people complain about today's cruise prices is comical.

 

I have old Carnival brochures that list an inside cabin on the FESTIVALE for $1394.00 per person, plus port taxes, for a 7nt cruise. I paid less than half of that for two for a balcony on the PRIDE just this past May.

 

And people whine about cutbacks.

 

Back in "the day" the prices were higher, incomes were lower and it was a whole different class of cruisers.

 

My 1980 cruise cost me, at the time about 2 months rent, for an inside cabin. Translated to today....that would be about $5000/per person.

[ready2cruzagain]

As a relative newbie to cruising the prices have become quite reasonable in the past few years depending on which cruise line itinerary and ship you choose. Our first cruise was 7 night Oasis of the seas at an insane price of $1800pp for an inside... The past couple years we've sailed for double the length and at a 1/4 to 1/2 of the price.

 

This years upcoming Glory Journey cruise - solo for 10 nights was only $798 + fees... Can't beat that (and a nice little pot of casino cash thrown in sweetens the deal immensely).

Yes, but since you mentioned casino cash thrown in, you cannot compare the price of your cruise for $798 for 2 for 10 days to others.

 

Those of us that do not gamble pay full price. I am on the Glory for 10 days and our price is $1600 for 2 for an inside. Big difference there!

Edited September 21, 2015 by ready2cruzagain

[dogchopper]

I had no idea gambling gave you that it of a perk!! Too bad I'm not into the casinos ..

 

I shall just keep crossing my fingers

[bingo3]

prices reflect what people are willing to pay.....won't go down unless people stop paying them :)

[bellatrix42]

Deals are still out there. I'm on the Dream next month for ten days in a balcony for $1200 plus OBC for two of us.

[saharaga]

Yes, I have noticed prices are higher. We used to book balconies exclusively. We have 4 cruises booked with Carnival right now, all oceanview cabins because the balconies are just not as good a value anymore.

[soccersharon]

Prices seem the same to me. What is a bummer is the Canadian exchange rate to US dollars. I do wish Carnival would offer a more competitive rate, like NCL.

[dogchopper]

Deals are still out there. I'm on the Dream next month for ten days in a balcony for $1200 plus OBC for two of us.

 

Well I'm still hoping for some upgrades or OBC (or both). But it's not looking good.

[dioxide45]

Deals are still out there. I'm on the Dream next month for ten days in a balcony for $1200 plus OBC for two of us.

 

I would agree, though sailing in the fall has always been a good deal. We are on the Magic for 7 nights for about $850 total for two people in a Spa Interior. Sailing in the off season is the best deal, not everyone can do that and those traveling during peak time are probably seeing a bigger increase in prices.

[Beth C]

Yes, but since you mentioned casino cash thrown in, you cannot compare the price of your cruise for $798 for 2 for 10 days to others.

 

Those of us that do not gamble pay full price. I am on the Glory for 10 days and our price is $1600 for 2 for an inside. Big difference there!

 

You need to watch the deals - i'm paying $798 as a solo before casino cash... another in our group without any casino perks are paying $1381 all in for 2 in an inside on the same Glory cruise! The current price is $1501 for an inside so send in for a price adjustment and get some OBC :)

[ready2cruzagain]

You need to watch the deals - i'm paying $798 as a solo before casino cash... another in our group without any casino perks are paying $1381 all in for 2 in an inside on the same Glory cruise! The current price is $1501 for an inside so send in for a price adjustment and get some OBC :)

No one watches for deals more than I do, trust me. I did see where I could switch to a guarantee room for $230 less on one of the cruises but I would be giving up ES, I would go from an inside on deck 8 to more than likely an inside on deck 1. That is not a deal. That is paying for a higher category then downgrading.

 

What deck is your other friend on. Big difference in price from a 4A to a 4G inside.

[vlynn]

I am surprised how much the price has increased for the Pride's February sailing. I am not complaining about the price we paid, I only book if I am happy with the price (I certainly am now, lol).

 

However, considering they are taking the Pride to Tampa winter 2017 and many said it was because they had to sell cabins 'dirt cheap' during the winter from Baltimore, to see the price increase by more than 150$pp is surprising and it is selling well; 6 months out and 4k's are sold out.

 

I'm not upset about this though, I want the Pride to stay in Baltimore so I really hope it keeps selling well and they keep enhancing the itineraries and adding longer cruises. :D

Edited September 23, 2015 by vlynn
correction

[sailor_jimc]

To answer the OP's question. You are wrong. Todays cruise prices are much less than years ago. I found my first cruise tickets for our honeymoon cruise in 1990. For a 4 day cruise we paid $1900 for an inside cabin. With airfare to Miami from Chicago. Per an inflation calculator I found on line that is the equivlant to $3464 today. even at todays airfare costs of $350 round trip pp that means that cruise cost about $2764 in todays money.. So if anything we are paying much les for cruises now than we did in the past.

[Beth C]

No one watches for deals more than I do, trust me. I did see where I could switch to a guarantee room for $230 less on one of the cruises but I would be giving up ES, I would go from an inside on deck 8 to more than likely an inside on deck 1. That is not a deal. That is paying for a higher category then downgrading.

 

What deck is your other friend on. Big difference in price from a 4A to a 4G inside.

 

 

We booked deck 6 at that price - that's what I quoted last night price at with an assigned cabin

Edited September 23, 2015 by Beth C

[dioxide45]

To answer the OP's question. You are wrong. Todays cruise prices are much less than years ago. I found my first cruise tickets for our honeymoon cruise in 1990. For a 4 day cruise we paid $1900 for an inside cabin. With airfare to Miami from Chicago. Per an inflation calculator I found on line that is the equivlant to $3464 today. even at todays airfare costs of $350 round trip pp that means that cruise cost about $2764 in todays money.. So if anything we are paying much les for cruises now than we did in the past.

 

I am not sure the OP was comparing cruise prices of today to those of the 90s. I think they were looking more at today vs last year or even two or three years ago.

 

It would make sense with so much more competition now, bigger boats and much more capacity now that prices would be less than they were in the 90s.

[Sturmin]

Prices are up. Couple of different reasons for this.

1) Whatever the government says, inflation is alive and well. The dollar does not go very causing prices on a lot of inputs to rise and cruise prices must go up.

2) Carnival marketing is getting better. With their early savers and price guarantee, more people book earlier hoping they'll get a price drop. If enough cabins are booked, Carnival will make more money with empty cabins or casino give aways then dropping the price and giving credit. They are also marketing early savers more competivly with the hope of not having to drop tbe price further.

3) I think Carnival is getting more marketshare. They are offering either an equal product or better in some cases. Look at HMC, Punchliners and other products while other lines are cutting or cheapening their cruises or nickle and diming passengers.

4) I believe more people are cruising because it is still a good value. Deals are still out there. If you don't mind lower inside, cruises offer room and board cheaper then almost anywhere at certain times.

[mrobstad]

I feel prices are up on all cruise lines, which is odd since the price of gas is so low. When oil prices dropped, cruise stocks soared, but interestingly, no apparent effect on flight prices. Guess it's screw the consumer.

[dogchopper]

I tend to agree with the inflation aspect. Our dollar doesn't go as far as it used too.

I guess being the cheap (frugal ) person I am I always look for the best price. I shall just have to deal worth the new prices.

 

I will also have to consider RC again. If I am going to pay more I may as well sail in a fancy ship. They do have the wow factor that Carnival doesn't have. If I'm gonna pay more I want to get more.

 

RC doesn't seem to have any type of early saver program. Last time I did book with them I had a heck of a time getting an upgrade when the price dropped on my cruise. But... I may try them again next year.. :).

Edited September 25, 2015 by dogchopper

[Doggielover68]

Carnival prices are definitely higher than last year. We cruise during the slowest time of the year. Booked our upcoming trip about a year ago and despite checking every day haven't had a single price drop for our interior cabin. Not a big deal though. We always book what we can afford. I consider any price drops or upgrades as a "bonus." Prices are still cheaper than other cruise lines from what I have seen for our travel dates.

 

 

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[CCLCruiser4321]

I thought Carnival was supposed to go out of business when they changed the balcony smoking policy. ;)

 

No its because they removed lobster on short cruises. 😉

[dogchopper]

Carnival prices are definitely higher than last year. We cruise during the slowest time of the year. Booked our upcoming trip about a year ago and despite checking every day haven't had a single price drop for our interior cabin. Not a big deal though. We always book what we can afford. I consider any price drops or upgrades as a "bonus." Prices are still cheaper than other cruise lines from what I have seen for our travel dates.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

yep, that's how we feel too. I'm crossing my fingers but I'll be happy either way

 

No its because they removed lobster on short cruises. 😉

Ha!! I totally agree, I love the lobster!!

[knight2096]

I feel prices are up on all cruise lines, which is odd since the price of gas is so low. When oil prices dropped, cruise stocks soared, but interestingly, no apparent effect on flight prices. Guess it's screw the consumer.

 

 

Bingo!